Gov. Tim Pawlenty honored UMD's Hobey Baker Award winner Junior Lessard, left, and Coach of the Year Scott Sandelin, center, May 6 at the State Capitol.

Bulldog player, coach recognized by Governor Pawlenty

Governor Tim Pawlenty presented commendations on Thursday, May
6, honoring Junior Lessard and Scott Sandelin of the University of
Minnesota, Duluth's men's hockey team, which advanced this year to
the Frozen Four.

Lessard, a right wing for the Bulldogs, was honored this season
with the Hobey Baker Award for the most outstanding college hockey
player in the country. He led the nation in goals, and helped steer
UMD to its first Frozen Four berth since 1985. Lessard was also
WCHA Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. He is the
fourth UMD Bulldog to win the Hobey Baker Award.

Sandelin was named NCAA Division I men's hockey Coach of the
Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association. This season he led
the Bulldogs to a 28-13-4 record. UMD finished second in the WCHA
on its way to advancing to the Frozen Four. Sandelin, 39, a native
of Hibbing, Minnesota, is in his fourth year at UMD.